| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My most memorable childhood experience happened when I was about seven years old, during a family trip to Disney World with relatives visiting from The Bahamas. Growing up, I always saw my mom as loving but incredibly serious - like she was born with a permanent “don’t play with me” look. She was my definition of perfection and discipline. But one early morning at the hotel, that image cracked loudly. My older sister was sitting on the edge of the bed as my mom walked past her - and then my mother unleashed a sneeze that erupted into a full-blown orchestral performance: sneezing, coughing, and farting all at once directly in my sister’s face. My mother immediately fell to the floor laughing so hard she rolled around and even peed a little. In that moment, I saw my mom not as the strict hero of my childhood, but as a wonderfully imperfect human who could laugh until she lost control. It was shocking - and honestly heartwarming. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | The family member I identify with most is my older sister, the middle child. We grew up three years apart, but we were practically glued at the hip. As the youngest and the only boy in a house full of women, I was basically the household chew toy. If something went wrong, odds were high my sister was behind it - either daring me into trouble or pushing me toward it like a proud agent of chaos. When I was eight, she dared me to yell at my mom that I “hated her” because we didn’t get ice cream and had been sentenced to our room. My mom did not appreciate that declaration of war. I tried to escape by diving under the bunk bed like a fugitive. When mom asked my sister where I was, she looked right at me and pointed under the bed without hesitation. I learned about betrayal that day. Shakespeare could never. I was grounded for two months, but even through the fights, trouble, and shenanigans, my sister was my partner in crime, my protector, and my first best friend. We were two kids who felt like the world couldn’t touch us. She shaped my character more than anyone - helping raise me into the loyal, tough, loving man I am now. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | The character traits I admire most are charisma, tact, chivalry, respect, loyalty, and courage. The two that resonate most deeply with me, though, are charisma and loyalty. When I was in my early college years, I felt held back by my family and needed a sense of independence, so I joined the United States Marine Corps. I was alone, nervous, and unsure if I was making the right choices. My recruiter became the first man I ever truly admired. His presence was strong, respectful, and composed, and he had a natural way with words. His charisma was so powerful that if he jumped off a bridge into the water, you might honestly believe you’d come out just fine following him. As for loyalty, there’s nothing more grounding than knowing someone genuinely has your back. Witnessing these traits up close made me adopt them myself, so I could lead others who feel unsure or need someone steady to lean on during tough times. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | One of the funniest moments of my life - at least in hindsight - happened in Sweden. I was walking through a park called Kungsträdgården (“King’s Garden”) and had no idea what black ice was. Wearing oak-brown dress shoes with terrible traction, I slipped in front of what felt like hundreds of Swedes. Time seemed to slow down as I flailed, fighting for balance for what felt like thirty very long seconds. I hit the ground, jumped back up faster than I fell, brushed off the snow, and kept walking with my head down and steam practically rising off me from embarrassment. Thankfully it was dusk, so fewer people saw my face - but enough smiled knowingly, while others politely looked away to spare me. That day taught me a valuable lesson: small, careful steps in the snow. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | If time and money were no obstacle, I would travel to Japan. From ages four through seven, my uncle introduced me to Japanese animation - anime - which often showcases elements of Japanese culture. Experiencing that culture through storytelling made me appreciate its beauty long before I understood its depth. I would love to immerse myself in Japan’s traditions, food, architecture, and everyday life to better understand the culture that influenced me growing up. I also spent two weeks in the Philippines, where I made unforgettable connections. On my eighth day in Siargao, I met a German woman on a surfing vacation. We became friends instantly, and the next day she invited me along for lessons from her Filipino instructor. Within five minutes, I was standing on the board riding small waves - something I never imagined I'd pick up so quickly. I don’t travel often, but when I do, I travel alone. It gives me a sense of individuality and freedom I didn’t have growing up in a sheltered household or during my time in the Marines. Traveling solo lets me move at my own pace, budget wisely, sleep in or wake early as I please, and escape the stresses of home while meeting kind and incredible people along the way. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | If I’m ever blessed with children, I would love to pass on some of the traits and features I value in myself - my teeth, creativity, ambition, work ethic, athleticism, and natural hand–eye coordination. I’d also want to pass down the traditions I grew up with, especially those tied to my Bahamian heritage. One of the biggest is making guava duff, our national dessert, along with our version of soul and Caribbean food: baked mac and cheese, potato salad, coleslaw, peas and rice, fried fish, conch stew, and baked chicken. These cultural traditions are more than recipes - they’re memories, identity, and a connection to the family and roots that shaped me. |
